Oilers Stymie Blue Jackets 4-1

After a forgettable loss to the Blues on Tuesday, the Oilers scored three third period goals en route to a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

The first period was an absolute snoozer. After twenty minutes, the Blue Jackets amassed total of four shots, while the Oilers put up two. It took until midway through the second period until Columbus’ David Savard would put one on the board.

That’s a familiar feeling. Blame Tobias Rieder. Jackets are up 1-0.

It didn’t take two minutes until Kyle Brodziak would tie it up.

Credit to Joe Gambardella for setting this one up. The assist is Gambardella’s first NHL point.

The second period would end at 1-1. It was anybody’s game.

Zack Kassian took control and put the Oilers up 2-1 just 45 seconds into the third.

Life is the top of the cherry when you’re taking passes from the best passer in the game. McDavid puts it on the tape of Zack Kassian’s blade early on in the third period, and Kassian picks up his 14th goal of the season. Kassian’s goal would be the eventual game winner. McDavid’s assist is his 70th of the season. Playoffs, here we come!!!*

One good turn deserves another. Here, we see Connor McDavid in his natural habitat doing Connor McDavid-like things. Leon picks up his second assist of the game, while Connor McDavid dekes Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo en route to McDavid’s 37th goal of the year. When If this team ever figures out how to support McDavid, Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins with appropriate talent on the wing, this team might make some noise. Beautiful goal by the best player in the world. Oilers are up 3-1 with six minutes left.

Got any more?

Just one more.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores his season-high 25th goal on a pass from Leon Draisaitl. It’s a power play goal (!) for the Oilers, and it’s Leon’s third assist of the game. Leon’s three assists put him at 94 points on the year with eight games to go. That’s an excellent number with an excellent chance to break 100 before the season is up.

STANDINGS

Let’s not ruin the moment with sundry topics like where the Oilers are in the standings. Enjoy this victory.

The Oilers will host the Ottawa Senators next on Saturday afternoon.